2015 NFL Draft Profile: QB Marcus Mariota, Oregon

Marcus Mariota brings new meaning to the word production from a quarterback perspective. He had 4,454 yards and 42 touchdown passes this past season. He was the best quarterback in college football, with a polish that Jameis Winston just does not have. Mariota has the potential to be an Aaron Rodgers like talent, he has that skillset. He just needs to go to the right situation and he will flourish.

Mariota does everything right from a mechanical approach, though he did not run a pro style offense with the Oregon Ducks. He needs to prove that he can take the snap from center and drop back smoothly at some point in his draft preparation. Though his mechanics in a shotgun set or a pistol formation are ahead of his years.

There are two signature qualities to his game. Mariota is a mobile quarterback, but he uses his legs primarily to extend plays, remaining a passer. While a guy like Winston runs because he does not go through his reads or for that matter get rid of the ball on time, Mariota scrambles efficiently and with purpose.

The second signature component to Mariota that is special is his ability to place passes where only the receivers can get it. This is why his completion percentage hovers in the high sixties. Mariota makes good reads, he can go through his progression and find the open receiver. When you combine this with his ability to extend plays and find deep completions down the field, its a lethal combination.